St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster is likely to face a lengthy suspension after his high bump on North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin in a practice match on Sunday. The incident left Simpkin concussed and sparked a melee between the two teams.
Webster leapt off the ground and collected Simpkin’s head with a hip-and-shoulder bump during the first quarter of the clash at RSEA Park. Simpkin had just kicked the ball into the Kangaroos’ forward line when he was hit by Webster, who showed no remorse for his actions.
Simpkin lay on the ground while his teammates rushed to confront Webster, who was pushed over the boundary line by a furious Jack Ziebell. The umpires intervened to break up the scuffle, but the damage was done.
Simpkin was attended to by medical staff and walked off the field, but he did not return for the rest of the game. He will have to undergo concussion protocols and is in doubt for round one.
Webster’s bump was widely condemned by the AFL community, with many comparing it to the one that saw Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper banned for four weeks last week. Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said Webster’s bump was “at least twice as bad” as Powell-Pepper’s and wondered if he would cop a longer suspension.
Webster’s family slammed for insensitive comments
As if Webster’s bump was not bad enough, his family members added insult to injury by making light of the situation on social media. His sisters Maddi and Alysha, and his brother Jay, posted a series of now-deleted comments on Maddi’s Instagram account, where she had shared a video of the incident.
Maddi wrote “Oh Jimmy” followed by a laughing and face palm emoji, while Alysha wrote “Goodnight”. Jay wrote “Fair bump play on” and also laugh reacted to some comments from angry North Melbourne fans.
Maddi’s profile says she works with RSEA Safety, which is a sponsor of St Kilda and the venue of the practice match. The Webster family’s comments were obtained by the Herald Sun before they were deleted, and they sparked outrage among the AFL fans and commentators.
Former North Melbourne champion David King said the comments were “disgusting” and “disrespectful”. He said Webster’s family should apologise to Simpkin and his family, and that Webster should also distance himself from their behaviour.
Saints win practice match but lose Howard to injury
The Saints won the practice match by 19 points, 11.18 (84) to 10.5 (65), but they had their own injury concerns. Key defender Dougal Howard limped off late in the game with a hamstring injury and is set to miss the start of the season.
The Saints dominated the first half, leading by 38 points at the main break, but the Kangaroos fought back in the second half and reduced the margin to 13 points in the final term. However, the Saints held on to secure the win and boost their confidence ahead of round one.
The Saints had several impressive performers, including Jack Steele, who had 28 disposals and a goal, Jack Billings, who had 25 disposals and two goals, and Max King, who kicked three goals. The Kangaroos were led by Ben Cunnington, who had 29 disposals and a goal, and Nick Larkey, who kicked four goals.
Both teams will have their final preparations for the home-and-away season this week, with the Saints facing GWS Giants on Sunday and the Kangaroos taking on Hawthorn on Saturday.
